Your (Wo)Man in Washington is @ White House Working Families Summit

Early Monday I’ll be heading downtown for the much anticipated Working Families Summit hosted by the White House, the Center for American Progress, and the US Department of Labor. There has never been a bigger event for work/family issues, gender equity, and women’s advocacy, and no other Administration has so identified with the challenge of raising children, caring for family members, and earning a living, all at the same time. Mothers, the national spotlight is on you today.

There’s a nifty website devoted to the event where you can see the agenda I’ll be following. Click around and look at the FAQ’s. Take note of this one, which explains why the event is especially important for women.

• The past four decades have seen a dramatic transformation of the U.S. workforce, fueled largely by changes in American families. In 1970, millions of American families relied on the support of a full-time stay-at-home caregiver, usually a wife. The world of the 21st century is different. Today, less than one in three children has a parent that stays at home and women comprise half—47 percent—of all workers on U.S payrolls. The movement of women out of the home and into the paid labor force stands out as one of the most important transformations of the American workforce. Women increasingly play a central role in determining their families’ economic standing—6 in 10 women are now the sole, primary, or co-breadwinners for their families. But many workplaces have not caught up. Too many women still earn less than men for doing the same job and often face barriers to job advancement. Although all workers will directly benefit from better workplace policy, the impact will be greatest for working women and their families.

You can also find a livestream of the event at Workingfamiliessummit.org and watch the day unfold from the comfort of your very own home. There’ll be lots of tweeting under #FamiliesSucceed. In preparation for the event, the White House released some great data for the wonks like me who love facts, from the President’s Council of Economic Advisers called Nine Facts About American Families and Work. Great stuff.

On Sunday, your paper may include PARADE magazine, which has a special interview with the President and First Lady. They’ve had their share of trouble with the two career, two kid juggle (at least before they had the benefit of all that staff in the Executive Mansion.)

I’ll be reporting on the event both here and on The Shriver Report, so keep an eye out. Don’t forget to check out Your (Wo)Man in Washington on Facebook, and @WomanInDC on Twitter. It’s gonna be busy!!

‘Til next time,

Your (Wo)Man in Washington